The first thing I do is to completely take apart the Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB into its constituent parts. Once each piece is separate I use a Dremel to grind off the engraved logo on the side and then use sandpaper of various gauges to bring back the smooth surface. It can either be finished in the brushed style using a scotch pad, or taken down using very fine wet and dry paper until a polishing mop can be used on the Dremel to bring back the original polished finish. Next I grind off the crown guards until the case is smooth and round, again using sandpaper to get it to either a brushed or polished finish.
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To give the Invicta crown the 'Big Crown' feel of the 6538 I grind down the top and bottom to make it feel less of a block shape and also I grind off that bizarre cross shape branding and re-polish it.
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If using the exhibition back I remove the crystal and grind off all the engravings until the desired honed or polished finish is required, then replace the crystal. If the exhibition back is not desired I use a Rolex style stainless steel back.
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Next I replace the Invicta bezel insert with a red triangle Rolex style aluminium bezel and replace the cyclops crystal with a mineral double dome crystal as the cyclops is no longer needed as the date complication will not been seen with the 6538 style replacement dial.
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I then remove the Invicta hands and dial from the Seiko NH35 movement and replace them. I use various aftermarket hands and dials depending on which style is desired. I have found a supplier of fantastic Mercedes style hands with the white large lollipop second hand as found on some of the vintage Rolex subs. As the movement is Seiko I use Seiko branded dials to keep true to the essence of the watch although Rolex branded dials are available for the NH35 movement. I then patina the hands and dial to give it the desired aged effect as would be found today on a watch from the 1950's.
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Using a vintage Rolex style dial will hide the date complication meaning there will be 'ghost' click which changes the date wheel but can not be seen when using the crown to change the time. If this is not desired the movement can be replaced for a Seiko NH38 which has no date complication and will purely adjust the time with no ghost click.
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If using the Invicta stainless bracelet the logo is ground off, although my preference is for the black, green and red nato strap as seen on Connery's 6538 submariner in Goldfinger. For some reason he used a 16mm strap on a 20mm lug width which looks particularly odd - I go for a full size strap which looks infinitely better!
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